Fletcher never ceases to amaze, is a must have in big games, and spurs the team on. Probably next only to Wayne Rooney for his fighting spirit and contribution on the pitch, Fletcher reveals some interesting things in an interview about his affirmations before big games, and life without the Most Expensive Player of the world.

Cantona: I would’ve punched Henry

Eric Cantona has claimed that he would have punched Thierry Henry on the pitch if he was one of the Ireland players.

Henry handled the ball twice before setting up a goal for William Gallas during extra-time in the play-offs match against Ireland. France qualified for next summer’s World Cup instead of Ireland as a result of the disputed goal.

According to The Sun, the Manchester United and France legend has claimed that he is more shocked with Ireland’s lack of fighting spirit than Henry’s handball.

Cantona said: “What shocks me the most quite frankly, is not the hand-ball.

“What shocks me the most is that this player, at the end of the game, in front of the TV cameras, went to sit down next to an Ireland player to comfort him – when he had just screwed him.”

After the full time whistle, Henry went to console Ireland defender Richard Dunne .

Cantona added: “If I had been an Irishman, he wouldn’t have lasted three seconds.”

A hefty £20,000 fine and two match touchline ban in addition to two match suspended ban on Sir Alex might have put the debate about referees to bed, for most. But not for Neville. He has been backing the gaffer in voicing his opinions and supporting them with his own. The comments on Andre Marriner are a case in point.

And again, Nev has come out to say that the FA should be taking a leaf out of UEFA’s book by creating a pool of the best refs and only these should be appointed to the biggest and most intense games in the Premier League. It is, indeed, these games which have the might to make or break the season most of the time.

International break is now underway, and what better opportunity than this to get to interview the true guardians of football (No, not the FIFA/UEFA/FA. And you’d be a nutter if you thought the AIFF). The REAL guardians. A distinguished member of the fair play wing, the Congregation of Angels for Integrity in Football, or CAIF, consented to take some time off from his busy schedule.

5 points off the pace from the top of the table. Feels bad. And yet again we are done in by the referee. Feels real bad. This, despite playing some fantastic football and keeping the likes of Drogba, Essien, Lampard and Anelka silent. Feels like frikkin Arsenal. So what if the referee made an unfair decision against Chelsea, too?

Giving a yellow to Drogba for a Johny Evans foul seems like a license for Chelsea supporters to say that their United counterparts are overdoing the “ref did us in” debate.

Really?

Had Chelsea lost the game to some poor decisions, Well… We know the story. For refereeing mistakes such as in this game, its either the fans of one side who protest, or the other. All sane discussion goes out the window.

The equation is simple. Equip the referees, damn it! Get them aids (no pun intended) to help them make fair and balanced decisions. I’m not saying the refs are out to get us, or conspiring against us.

But why can’t anyone have the right to protest wrong decisions? For all the fuss made about the RESPECT campaign, there can be no faith, let alone respect, for referees who influence games toward unfair outcomes.

After letting the Darren bent balloon goal stand against Liverpool, the ref was demoted to refereeing in the championship. Does that make up for the mistake and points lost? No, Absolutely not.

It is a matter of highest concern, and the colours of protesting fans can only keep changing with passing games. It was blue in start of may after Barcelona qualified for the Finals of Champions League, Red yesterday, and who knows what tomorrow.

On a more encouraging note, United had a nice game yesterday, refereeing atrocities apart. Our performance was awesome and we outperformed and outclassed Chelsea left, right and centre. So taking heart from the performance is the wisest thing to do.

Critics of United, Beware. For, there can be no bigger disregard to the Premier League than underestimate Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Liverpool showed us off in the 90’s for our lack of titles compared to their 18. We stand on level ground now. We were written off several times last season owing to a bad start and the accompanying fixture pile-up. Ditto this time ’round, minus the fixture congestion and that can only be better for us. You can’t do us a bigger favour than underestimate United. Therein lies our strength, and your weakness.